Warfield voters can learn more about their byelection candidates during a community forum Wednesday night.
The Trail and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Warfield Community Hall.
Following an introduction of Nicole Caputo, John Crozier, Brad Jansen, and Arlene Parkinson, questions will be delivered on a first-come-first-serve basis, says chamber executive director Audry Lochrie.
“We are not taking questions beforehand and the Q & A will be time sensitive,” she added.
Mayor Ted Pahl welcomes the forum and encourages the village to attend.
“I think it’s great that the public has this chance to come out and meet the candidates and ask whatever questions they have for them,” he said. “I know for myself, that was one event I enjoyed being part of and is a great way to meet the voters in our community.”
As the Warfield byelection nears, with advance polls set for March 30 and April 6, and General Voting Day on April 9, the Trail Times asked the four councillor candidates to tell us about themselves and why they chose to run. Their answers run alphabetically.
Nicole Caputo
I have lived in the Village of Warfield since July 2011 with my husband, who has been a resident since 1992. I have two adult children who live in Alberta. Currently I am employed with a major utility company as a customer service representative. I have volunteer experience from when my children attended school, including acting as a liaison between parent and teacher (PTA), organizing small and large fundraising events and classroom activities, and I actively managed my son’s minor hockey team for ten years.
When I moved to Warfield five years ago, there was a fall election for which I was not able to run as I did not meet the residency requirements. In the 2014 election I just started new employment and felt that I would not be able to commit to the community and employer equally.
I am running for the Warfield byelection, as I believe if you want to know what is going on in your community, you need to be active in your community.
Warfield is in the process of rejuvenation with new families choosing our community to live in and this also brings new ideas and challenges, which I want to be part of.
John Crozier
I am a retired senior and have lived in Warfield for the last eight years. I have served six years on Warfield council, from 2008 to 2014, with the support of my wife Deborah Shergold. We have been involved in the community since we moved here. I spent 32 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 16 years in Saskatchewan and eight in Ottawa.
Upon retirement from the force, I attended Kwantlen University College taking the millwright pre-apprenticeship program as well as the welding program (ticketed welder) and the welder fitter program. I stayed behind at the college as a program assistant, the last five in building construction. Upon retirement we moved to Warfield.
In my previous Warfield council experience, I was involved in the new water system and village hall upgrades. I was also the village rep for the Trail and District United Way and the Trail Health and Environment Committee. As well, I was council rep for the recreation and garden committee.
I volunteered at the Warfield Rec Commission children’s parties, Easter egg hunt, Canada Day at the pool, Halloween party, Christmas with Santa, seniors tea and Warfield PAC’s annual pancake breakfast.
My objective to run for council in the byelection, is for a fair and reasonable government and to maintain our identity as a desirable place to live for everyone. The community comes first. Warfield is a great place to be.
Brad Jansen
I have lived in Warfield for over 14 years now. My wife has lived here her whole life and we have four children. I am 41, and employed as the Financial Services Manager at Castlegar Toyota Scion. I have been a director on the board of the Kootenay Boundary Regional Health Foundation since June 2010, but haven’t served on a previous municipal council. I also volunteer my time to various events throughout the Village of Warfield and beyond.
I decided to run for councillor in the Warfield byelection for one simple reason: community pride.
I like the direction the current council has been going for the last 16 months, and I would be honoured and privileged to be a part of the ongoing positive changes that we are seeing.
I want all citizens to be able to take advantage of what Warfield has to offer. I want to see a village where our children can remain after they’ve finished school, and a village where our seniors can retire without having to leave.
Arlene Parkinson
I have been a Warfield resident since 1978 and served three terms as a village councillor, from 1990 to 1999. From 2001 until present, I have been secretary-treasurer for the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG). That position combined with being elected three times to Warfield council, has given me over 20 years experience in local government here in the Kootenays. I am 64, and retiring from my job on April 30, 2016. I am married with two daughters and two grandchildren.
When my family was growing up here in Warfield, I volunteered as a Girl Guide and Pathfinder Leader and was on the Warfield Recreation Commission for several years.
I considered running in the 2014 Local Government Election but would have had to leave my job with the AKBLG.
When the byelection was announced, I realized I would now have the time and energy to be fully involved in the governance of the Village of Warfield.
I support the current Village of Warfield council and appreciate their efforts. I am excited about the opportunity to give back to my community and will do my best. I look forward to working as a team towards making decisions that will ensure a good future for all in the Jewel of the Kootenays.